U.S. patent number 7,744,558 [Application Number 12/157,126] was granted by the patent office on 2010-06-29 for pill plunger.
Invention is credited to R. John Maag.
United States Patent |
7,744,558 |
Maag |
June 29, 2010 |
Pill plunger
Abstract
A pill plunger includes a hollow tube having a forward end and a
rearward end. A rod or plunger has a forward end having a dished
out portion for receiving medication and a rearward end having a
button. The plunger occupies the tube with the dished out portion
at the forward end of the tube and the button extending from the
rearward end of the tube. Medication is placed in the dished out
portion, which is then retracted into the tube. After insertion of
the tube into a patient's mouth, the button is depressed to extend
the plunger and dispense the medication. A spring can be used to
retract the plunger upon release of the button. The dished out
portion can be sealed to carry a fluid or powder. A dual dished out
portion can be provided in the rod, and a window can be formed in
the hollow tube.
Inventors: |
Maag; R. John (Otsego, MI) |
Family
ID: |
40094918 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/157,126 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2008 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20080302816 A1 |
Dec 11, 2008 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60933311 |
Jun 6, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61J
7/0053 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
31/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;604/19 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lucchesi; Nicholas D
Assistant Examiner: Patel; Pritesh
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wallace Intellectual Property PLC
Wallace; Donald J.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application
Ser. No. 60/933,311, filed Jun. 6, 2007, which is incorporated
herein in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pill plunger, comprising: a cylindrical tube having a first
end and a second end, and having an inner surface defining an inner
diameter; a flange extending outwardly from the first end of the
cylindrical tube; a plunger insert having a first end and a second
end, the first end comprising a thumb button, and the second end
comprising a dual receptacle, the dual receptacle having a
semi-cylindrical base and first and second end walls, the first and
second end walls being substantially circular and having a diameter
corresponding to the inner diameter of the cylindrical tube, and an
intermediate wall, the first end wall and the intermediate wall
defining a first receptacle, and the second end wall and the
intermediate wall defining a second receptacle.
2. The pill plunger according to claim 1, further comprising the
first and second walls form a seal with the inner surface of the
hollow tube.
3. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the cylindrical tube
further comprising a window opening in a side wall thereof.
4. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the plunger insert having
a first, retracted position within the cylindrical tube, wherein
the first receptacle aligns with the window opening.
5. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the plunger insert having
a second, extended position within the cylindrical tube, wherein
the first receptacle extends beyond the second end of the
cylindrical tube.
6. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the plunger insert having
a second, extended position within the cylindrical tube, wherein
the second receptacle aligns with the window opening.
7. The pill plunger according to claim 1, further comprising a
compression spring for biasing the plunger insert into a retracted
position.
8. The pill plunger according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
the first end wall, the second end wall and the intermediate wall
comprises a circumferential groove, and a seal is received in the
circumferential groove and engages the inner surface of the
cylindrical tube.
9. The pill plunger according to claim 1, the plunger insert
further comprising an alignment projection and the cylindrical tube
comprising an alignment groove on said inner surface, the alignment
projection being received in the alignment groove.
10. A pill plunger, comprising: a cylindrical tube having a first
end and a second end, and having an inner surface defining an inner
diameter; a flange extending outwardly from the first end of the
cylindrical tube; a plunger insert having a first end and a second
end, the first end comprising a thumb button, and the second end
comprising a receptacle, the receptacle having a semi-cylindrical
base and first and second end walls, the first and second end walls
being substantially circular and having a diameter corresponding to
the inner diameter of the cylindrical tube, wherein the first end
wall comprises a first circumferential groove and the second end
wall comprises a second circumferential groove and further
comprising a seal received in each of the first and second
circumferential grooves and engaging the inner surface of the
cylindrical tube.
11. The pill plunger according to claim 10, wherein the seal
received in each of the first and second circumferential grooves
comprises an o-ring.
12. The pill plunger according to claim 8, wherein the seal
comprises an o-ring.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is related to devices for administering medications
by mouth. More specifically, the invention is related to
administering oral medications to difficult or uncooperative
patients or patients requiring enhancement or encouragement of the
swallowing reflex.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Medication administering devices, which allow medical or veterinary
personnel to administer medications to uncooperative patients, are
known. In the prior art devices, the medication is commonly held
within a tubular applicator having an opening either restricted in
size or containing a resilient member for holding the solid
medication within the tube. Medication, normally in the form of a
solid pill, is then ejected from the tube by a plunger activated in
the manner of a syringe. These prior art devices do not provide the
capability to apply either powdered or liquid medications, and are
very specific in the size and/or shape of solid pill that they can
accommodate.
It would be advantageous to provide a device for administering
medication that can accommodate a wide range of pill sizes in
addition to powder or liquid medications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pill plunger includes a hollow tube having a forward end and a
rearward end. A rod or plunger has a forward end having a dished
out portion for receiving medication and a rearward end having a
button. The plunger occupies the tube with the dished out portion
at the forward end of the tube and the button extending from the
rearward end of the tube. Medication is placed in the dished out
portion, which is then retracted into the tube. After insertion of
the tube into a patient's mouth, the button is depressed to extend
the plunger and dispense the medication. A spring can be used to
retract the plunger upon release of the button. The dished out
portion can be sealed to carry a fluid or powder. A dual dished out
portion can be provided in the rod, and a window can be formed in
the hollow tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pill plunger according to the
invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan view of the pill plunger of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a reverse side of the housing of the pill
plunger of FIGS. 1-2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plunger insert for the pill
plunger of FIGS. 1-3.
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the plunger insert of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the plunger insert of FIGS. 4-5.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the pill
plunger according to the invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the pill plunger of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the housing for the pill plunger of FIGS.
7-8.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a reverse side of the housing of FIG.
9.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a plunger insert for the pill
plunger of FIGS. 7-10.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of the plunger insert of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a side view of the plunger insert of FIGS. 11-12.
FIG. 14 is an end view of the plunger insert of FIGS. 11-14.
FIG. 15 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a pill plunger
according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a pill plunger 100 according to the
invention comprises a housing 110 in the form of a hollow tube. A
plunger insert 120 is received within the housing 110.
The housing 110 includes a hollow tube portion 130. The hollow tube
portion 130 has a distal end 135 and a proximal end 140. A pair of
finger rests or flanges 150 extend normally from the proximal end
140 of the hollow tube portion 130. Indicia 160, 165 are provided
on an external surface of the hollow tube portion 130. The indicia,
shown in the drawings as "LOAD" and "DISPENSE" (FIG. 3) are
provided on opposing sides of the housing 110.
Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the plunger insert 120 includes a
receptacle portion 170, a rod portion 180 and a thumb button
portion 190. The receptacle portion 170 is positioned at a distal
end 175 of the plunger insert 120. The receptacle portion includes
a semi-cylindrical perimeter wall 200, a distal end wall 210 and a
proximal end wall 220. The rod portion 180 is attached to or formed
integrally with the proximal wall 220 of the receptacle portion
170. Each of the distal wall 210 and the proximal wall 220 of the
receptacle portion 170 are generally circular in shape and are
sized to closely conform to an inner wall surface 230 of the hollow
tube portion 130 of the housing 110. The rod portion 180 is
attached to the proximal wall 220 of the receptacle portion 170 in
a centered position, and includes a disk-shaped stabilizer 240 for
centering the rod portion 180 within the interior of the housing
110. The thumb button portion 190 includes a thumb rest 250 and a
plunger stop 260. The thumb rest 250 and plunger stop 260 are
joined by integrally formed braces 270. The thumb rest 250 is sized
to comfortably receive an operator's thumb, while the plunger stop
260 is sized to be larger than the opening of the hollow tube
portion 130, thereby preventing entry of the thumb portion 190 into
the hollow tube portion 130. The rod portion 180 is connected to or
integrally formed with the plunger stop 260, and is centered
thereon for alignment with the housing 110.
The pill plunger 100 is assembled by insertion of the plunger
insert 120 into the housing 110. The plunger insert is rotated
about a central axis 270 so that an opening 280 of the receptacle
portion 170 is facing upward, and the "LOAD" indicia on the hollow
tube portion 130 is visible. The plunger insert 120 is then
inserted into the housing 110 from the proximal end 140 until the
plunger stop 260 abuts the proximal end 140 of the housing 110 and
the receptacle portion 170 extends from the distal end 135 of the
housing 110. The pill plunger 100 is then ready for accepting a
pill or other medication in the receptacle portion 170.
The pill or medication can be in the form of a solid, a powder, or
a liquid. In the case of a liquid, the distal wall 210 and the
proximal wall 220 of the receptacle portion 170 must be closely
fitted to the inner wall surface 230 of the hollow tube portion
130, in order to form a seal sufficient to prevent leakage of the
liquid. In the alternative, a groove can be formed in the edge of
each wall 210, 220, and a seal, such as an o-ring, placed
therein.
After placement of the medication in the receptacle portion 170,
the plunger insert 120 is withdrawn toward the proximal end 140 of
the housing 110 so that the receptacle portion 170 retracts within
the distal end 135 of the housing 110. The pill plunger 100 can
then be rotated about the central axis 270 until it is inverted,
i.e. the "DISPENSE" indicia is exposed. The pill plunger 100 can
then be inserted into a patient's mouth until the distal end 135 of
the housing 110 is in a position to dispense the medication. The
operator of the pill plunger 100 will necessarily be holding the
pill plunger, such that the pill plunger 100 is being held by the
finger rests or flanges 150, for example by the user's index and
middle fingers, and the user's thumb is resting on the thumb rest
250 of the thumb button portion 190, in the manner of a syringe.
Once the pill plunger 100 is in place, the user can then depress
the thumb button portion 190 until the plunger stop 260 abuts the
proximal end 140 of the pill plunger 100. The receptacle portion
170 is thus fully extended from the distal end 135 of the housing
110 and the medication is thus released from the now inverted
receptacle portion 170, having its opening 280 facing
downwardly.
In a further embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 5-8, a
pill plunger 300 includes a housing 310 and a plunger insert 320.
The plunger insert 320 is received within the housing 310.
Housing 310 is formed of a hollow tube 330 having a distal end 335
and a proximal end 340. Outwardly extending flanges or finger rests
350 are mounted to or integral with the hollow tube 330 at its
proximal end 340. A window opening 360 is provided in the side of
the hollow tube 330 near its distal end 335. The window 360 is
provided on a face of the hollow tube 330 corresponding to "LOAD"
indicia 370 formed or provided on the surface of the hollow tube
330. "DISPENSE" indicia 375 is provided on an opposing outer
surface of the hollow tube 330, 180 degrees remote from the "LOAD"
indicia, about an axis 380 running longitudinally through the pill
plunger 300.
The plunger insert 320 has a distal end 390 and a proximal end 400.
A dual receptacle portion 420 is positioned at the distal end 390
of the plunger insert 320. The receptacle portion 410 has a
semi-cylindrical side wall 420, a distal end wall 430, an
intermediate wall 440 and a proximal end wall 450. A rod portion
460 of the plunger insert 320 is connected to or integral with the
receptacle portion 410 and is attached at the center of the
circular proximal end wall 450. The rod portion 460 further
includes a disk-shaped stabilizer 470.
Referring to FIGS. 11-14, an alignment projection 480 is formed on
the semi-cylindrical outer wall 420 of the receptacle portion 410.
The alignment projection 480 extends outwardly from the wall 420,
and is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plunger insert 320.
The alignment projection 480 corresponds to a matching alignment
groove 500 (see FIGS. 9-10) formed in the inner wall of the hollow
tubular portion 330 of the housing 310. The alignment groove 500 is
shown as being centered opposite the window opening 360 and the
housing 310.
The interior of the housing 310 further includes a spring stop
shoulder 510 having an opening 515 therethrough centered within the
interior of the housing 310 for receiving the proximal end 400 of
the plunger insert 320. The pill plunger 300 is thus assembled by
insertion of the proximal end 400 of the plunger insert 320 into
the distal end 335 of the housing 310. The plunger insert 320 is
rotated about the longitudinal axis 380 to align the alignment
projection 480 with the alignment groove 500. The open top of the
receptacle portion 410 is thus aligned with the window 360 of the
housing 310. The distal end 400 of the plunger insert 320 passes
through the opening 515 in the spring stop shoulder 510 until the
stabilizer 470 reaches the spring stop shoulder 510.
As a result, the proximal end 400 of the plunger insert 320 extends
beyond the proximal end 340 of the housing 310. The distal end 390
of the plunger insert 320, specifically the distal wall 430 of the
receptacle portion 410, is flush with the distal end 335 of the
housing 310. To complete the assembly of the pill plunger 300, a
thumb button 550 is secured to the proximal end 400 of the plunger
insert 320. The thumb button 550 is arranged on the proximal end
400 such that, when fully depressed against the proximal end 340 of
the housing 310, the plunger insert 320 will extend beyond the
distal end 335 of the housing 310 such that a distal chamber 560 of
the receptacle portion 410, defined between the distal wall 430 and
the intermediate wall 440, will extend beyond the distal end of the
housing 310. The intermediate wall 440 will approximately align
with the distal end 335 of the housing 310. A proximal chamber 570,
defined between the intermediate wall 440 and the proximal wall 450
of the receptacle portion 410, will then be in alignment with the
window 360 of the housing 310, so that the proximal chamber 570 can
be charged with a medication. When the plunger insert 320 is in the
fully retracted state, the distal chamber 560 will be aligned with
the window 360 of the housing 310, and the proximal chamber 570
will be fully contained and sealed within the housing 310
proximally of the window 360.
In a further embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 15, a coil
or compression spring 600 is placed over the proximal end 400 of
the plunger insert 320, passing through the opening at the proximal
end 340 of the housing 310 and bearing against the spring stop
shoulder 510 within the housing 310. The opposing end of the coil
or compression spring 600 bears against the base of the thumb
button 550 to urge the plunger insert 320 towards its proximal
position, with the thumb button 550 extended away from the proximal
end 340 of the housing 310, and the distal end 390 of the plunger
insert 320 flush with the distal end 335 of the housing 310.
In operation, the embodiments according to FIGS. 7-15 can
administer multiple medications, or multi-part medications, by
separating the components of the medication between the distal
chamber 560 and the proximal chamber 570 of the receptacle portion
410. A further example would be to place a thickened water in the
proximal chamber 570 with a medication in the distal chamber 560 to
encourage a swallow reflex in the patient and increase the
likelihood of proper application of the medication.
In the embodiments of the invention as disclosed above, the pill
plunger 100, 300 is placed in a horizontal orientation, with the
"LOAD" indicia facing upwardly. The plunger insert 120, 320 is
extended distally to expose the receptacle portion 170, 410. The
medication is then placed in the receptacle portion and the plunger
insert 120, 320 retracted proximally to be enclosed within the
housing 110, 310. The pill plunger 100, 300 is then rotated about
its longitudinal axis 270, 380, so that the "DISPENSE" indicia is
upward. The distal end of the pill plunger 100, 300 is inserted
into the patient's mouth. The thumb button 250, 550 is then
depressed to extend the plunger insert 120, 320 from the distal end
of the pill plunger 100, 300, thereby releasing the medication from
the inverted receptacle portion of the plunger insert.
While the invention has been described in the specification and
illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred
embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for
elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention
as defined in the claims. In addition, many modifications may be
made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings
of the invention without departing from the essential scope
thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be
limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings
and described in the specification as the best mode presently
contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the
invention will include any embodiments falling within the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *